2112

What really can be said about this amazing album that hasn't already been uttered in it's twenty-eight years of existence? "2112", the first truly great epic rock album, was the full-length release that gave Rush a market in America and elsewhere in the world. It took them out of Canada and scattered them all over, and oh, how the fanbase would grow...

The first track is "2112", itself. It is, actually, seven smaller tracks all in one; epic indeed. It begins with a sci-fi, almost techno-y laser hum, followed by what can best be described as "cosmic sounds". Then the rock kicks in: Alex's guitar riffs, Geddy's bass providing support, and Neil's drumming crashing in to carry both along. They rip through the first part of the song, "2112 Overture", and then zoom right into the second part: "The Temples of Syrinx" (These first two parts are often the ones used on Rush compilation albums). Afterwards comes the mellow "Discovery", then the slightly harder "Presentation". Expect only the best solo-wise in that segment; Alex Lifeson is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated guitarists in rock history. Following the solo is "The Oracle", a part which helps to further the story the epic is based on. Finally, we come down to "Soliloquy" and at long last, "Grand Finale". They crush through final part of the twenty-minute song, and end it with distorted guitar fuzz, a fading bassline, crashing cymbals and pounding bass drum, all with an electronic, echoing voice shouting about control. It's really a highlight in rock history.

The rest of the album is superb, as well. "A Passage To Bangkok", keeping in spirit with most 70's songs, is about marijuana. Ohwell, it has a very good main riff and Geddy does a very nice job with his vocals to provide an atmosphere.

"The Twilight Zone" is next and it's about... well, the television show The Twilight Zone. A very nice homage.

Next comes "Lessons", a great song about making mistakes and learning from them. Alex goes up high on the fretboard for this one, creating wails to fit Geddy's vocals. It's a rather cool effect which leaves a lasting feeling of amazement.

And then comes the ballad on the album, "Tears". Implementing a violin and acoustic guitar, paired with very somber, very melancholy vocals, it strikes you in the heart and leaves a sad imprint...

...which is quickly taken away by the albums closing song, "Something For Nothing". A very rocking song, to say the least, the boys jump right to it during the chorus and continue until the last chord fades out with the album. Forty minutes of music in a span of six songs.. sounds like Rush to me.

Conclusion:

In the middle of the '70's Rush had thier prog-hardrock, which with it's unbelievable atmosphere fantasy-dreamers and science fiction-freaks nights-long into strange worlds guided, so perfected, that not few fans believe today, the three Canadians couldn't be from this earth. With the "sense of wonder" of Tolkien, the band leaded the complexity of the "Caress Of Steel"-longtracks in more transparent ways and created with the title track of this '76 masterpiece a giant, that forever will be undestroyable and perfect, like the black Monolith in the Kubrick-film "2001". The siren-like vocals in "The Temples Of Syrinx", the all with it carried stellar hurricane of the "Grand Finale" - all highlights of the intelligent, creative rockmusic. What can be elegant driven on shorter floor, shows the B-side of the record with it's five short earworms, which carry the from the long journey through space hard beating heart softly back down to earthground. Mr. Lee, Lifeson and Peart may be from far away dimensions; We can the limitations of ourselves just with the greatest music only hide away for short time.

This album is an absolute MUST-HAVE, not for the historical value alone but for the music. I cannot emphasize that enough; if you're a Rush fan, you more than likely already have this. If you're not, go and find it, cherish it, worship it. It will blow you away, if you let it take control over you. Have a nice journey through space, but don't forget to come home again!

album rating: 9.5/10 points = 95 % on MPV scale = 5/5 scale

point-system: 0 - 3 points = 1 star / 3.5 - 5.5 points = 2 stars / 6 - 7 points = 3 stars / 7.5 - 8.5 points = 4 stars / 9 - 10 points = 5 stars